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Relive the fun! See 15 Galleries full of photos from the 2008 District Conference in Sparks, NV at the Nugget. If you were not there - see what you missed...and then go visit the Calendar section to see the video for the 2009 conference in Monterey and register early - save money.

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District 5220 has 55 Rotary Clubs


This month in Rotary history -- Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland

Rotary International News - 2 May 2008 

In May 1914, Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland met in London and agreed to form the British Association of Rotary Clubs. They elected R.W. Pentland as the first president of the organization, which was to have its own constitution. The next month, at that year’s Rotary convention in Houston, the International Association of Rotary Clubs recognized the British group as a legitimate extension of Rotary, and clubs in Britain agreed to affiliate with and pay fees to the international organization.

In his convention address, RI President Russell F. Greiner said: “Feeling that we were not familiar with local conditions in Great Britain and Ireland, I strongly favored the forming of an association of the clubs. . . . It has done splendid work in knitting into a closer union the Rotarians of the cities of the United Kingdom.”

Even with limited communication among international clubs during the World War I, the British association managed to keep the clubs in Great Britain, Ireland, and some mainland European communities connected. By 1921, more than 50 clubs were active in the region.

Other historic developments occurred at the 1922 RI Convention in Los Angeles. The International Association of Rotary Clubs changed its name to Rotary International, and a principle was established that allowed any country with 25 clubs to become a territorial unit with representation on the RI Board. At the convention, Great Britain requested and received territorial status as Rotary International – Association for Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI).

No other group in the world had asked for or received this standing when the territorial unit concept was repealed in 1927. Nevertheless, the rights, privileges, and powers of existing territories were forever protected, so RIBI has continued to function as an independent unit of Rotary International, subject to certain conditions under the RI Constitution.

See Club Awards List

JUNE 7 DISTRICT DAY AT THE BALL GAME HAS BEEN CANCELLED - but if you still want to go, contact Modesto Gateway Rotary about The Ultimate Tailgate Party and evening at the ball game same night, same game. Check Members Only for club contacts.


UPDATE – You can STILL REGISTER for RI Convention BY FAX!

I'm delighted to report important information for your Rotarians: The LA2008HOC has received written confirmation from RI General Secretary Ed Futa that Rotarians will be permitted to use the option of sending LA2008 Registration Forms to RI via FAX until 31 MAY 2008. This authorization reduces the burden for many Rotarians who have difficulty navigating the "on-line registration process.

You can register completing the registration form (go to: www.rotary2008.info) and faxing it to RI at 847-866-3064.

Paul Netzel
RI Director 2007-09

Zones 23-24


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SHELTERBOX

Each container provides a tent, stove, water purification kit, blankets, tools, and other necessities to help a family of 10 survive for six months. Photo by Alyce Henson/Rotary Images

Rotary clubs provide emergency shelter, aid to thousands in Myanmar

As the humanitarian crisis worsened in Myanmar’s delta region after a powerful cyclone hit on 3 May, a response team of four specially trained volunteers moved into devastated areas on Thursday to distribute more than 800 ShelterBox containers. 

ShelterBox, a grassroots disaster relief organization supported by Rotary clubs around the world, was among the first charities to reach cyclone victims. Desperately needed aid from many other international groups had been stalled at the border for days by Myanmar’s military government.

More than one million people have been left homeless by the disaster, and 100,000 are feared dead, the United Nations reports.

The team will work in cooperation with local groups in Myanmar to line up transportation and determine where the shelters will do the most good amid the massive devastation.

The first deployment of ShelterBoxes will benefit more than 10,000 survivors. Each container provides a tent, stove, water purification kit, blankets, tools, and other necessities to help a family of 10 survive for six months. Some include two 10-person tents, doubling the usual shelter capacity.

With no Rotary presence in Myanmar, Rotarians’ direct involvement in the relief effort will be limited. But Beth Palmer, executive director of ShelterBox USA, has noticed a spike in online contributions and says her phone has been “ringing off the hook” as Rotary club members have called to donate. ShelterBox offices in Australia, Canada, and Germany have reported a similar increase in contributions.

Tom Henderson, a member of the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, England, and the founder of ShelterBox, says 224 containers left Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Another 220 boxes have been sent from Melbourne, Australia, and 400 are en route from ShelterBox headquarters in Cornwall, England.

ShelterBox was launched in 2000 as a project of the Helston-Lizard club and quickly garnered support among Rotary clubs worldwide. To date, the nonprofit has raised US$29 million and delivered aid to over 40 countries in response to more than 70 disasters. Each complete ShelterBox costs $1,000 to sponsor, and Rotary clubs provide about half the charity’s funding.

Learn how you can donate to ShelterBox.

Wayne Hearn contributed to this article.

Comments and questions may be addressed to webmaster@rotary5220.org. We hope you enjoy your visit.

 

Rotary District 5220 - Serving California's Central Valley and Mother Lode 

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